Fluidic pcv valve assembly and system

ABSTRACT

Provided is a PCV valve assembly that includes a fluidic geometry that allows for the flow of combustion fluid/gas to flow between an inlet and an outlet and switch between two modes of operation, (i) a radial or high flow mode, and (ii) a tangential or low flow mode, as dictated during the operation of the engine. At low vacuums, the fluidic equipped PCV valve assembly has been tuned to operate in the radial mode producing high flow rates due to low flow resistance. As vacuum increases, the PCV valve assembly is tuned to automatically switch modes. This may be enabled due to the shape of the fluidic geometry and the bypass channel which is adapted to vary the amount of flow between a first and a second control ports. The bypass channel allows the geometric fluidic pattern to switch between the high flow mode and the low flow mode.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/933,773 entitled “FLUIDIC PCV VALVE ASSEMBLY AND SYSTEM,” filed onMar. 23, 2018, which claims priority to Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 62/475,354 entitled “FLUIDIC EQUIPPED PCV GAS FLOW CONTROLLER ANDCONDITION RESPONSIVE METHOD FOR CONTROLLING CRANKCASE GAS FLOW IN ANINTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE CRANKCASE,” filed on Mar. 23, 2017, each ofwhich are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to internal combustion engine crankcasegas flow rate control assembly and system and, more particularly, to apositive crankcase ventilation (“PCV”) gas flow rate control assembly,system and components therefor.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to an internal combustion engine crankcasegas flow rate control assembly and system and, more particularly, to apositive crankcase ventilation (“PCV”) gas flow rate control assemblyand system for controlling the recirculation of gas discharge from anengine in accordance with engine operating conditions and also inaccordance with flow rate adjustments made to the gas flow rate controlsystem.

A PCV system provides a controlled mechanism for gases to escape thecrankcase of an internal combustion engine. The heart of this system isthe PCV valve, typically a single channel variable-restriction valvethat can react to changing pressure values and intermittently vary flowrates while allowing the passage of the gases to their intendeddestination. In most modern vehicles the intended destination is theengine's intake stream.

Internal combustion inevitably involves a small but continual amount ofblow-by gases, which will occur when some of the gases from thecombustion leak past the piston rings to end up inside the crankcase.The gases could be vented through a simple hole or tube directly to theatmosphere, or they could “find their own way out” past baffles or pastthe oil seals of shafts or the gaskets of bolted joints. This is not aproblem from a mechanical engineering viewpoint alone; but from otherviewpoints, such as cleanliness for the user and environmentalprotection, such simple ventilation methods are not enough; escape ofoil and gases must be prevented via a closed system that routes theescaping gases to the engine's intake stream and allows fresh air to beintroduced into the crankcase for better and more efficient combustion.

From late in the 19th century through the early 20th century, blow-bygases were allowed to find their own way out past seals and gaskets inautomotive vehicles. It was considered normal for oil to be found bothinside and outside an engine, and for oil to drip to the ground in smallbut constant amounts. Bearing and valve designs generally made little tono provision for keeping oil or waste gases contained. In internalcombustion engines, the hydrocarbon-rich blow-by gases would diffusethrough the oil in the seals and gaskets into the atmosphere. Engineswith high amounts of blow-by would leak profusely.

Until the early 1960s, automotive engines vented combustion gasesdirectly to the atmosphere through a simple vent tube. Frequently, thisconsisted of a pipe (the ‘road draft tube’) that extended out from thecrankcase down to the bottom of the engine compartment. The bottom ofthe pipe was open to the atmosphere, and was placed such that when thecar was in motion a slight vacuum was obtained, helping to extractcombustion gases as they collected in the crankcase. Oil mist would alsobe discharged, resulting in an oily film being deposited in the middleof each travel lane on heavily-used roads. The system was not“positive”, as gases could travel both ways, or not move at all,depending on conditions.

Environmental concerns lead to the development of controlling combustiongases in an engine. The PCV valve and system operates as a variable andcalibrated air leak whereby the engine returns its crankcase combustiongases. Instead of the gases being vented to the atmosphere, these gasesare fed back into the intake manifold, re-entering the combustionchamber as part of a fresh charge of air and fuel. All the air collectedby the air cleaner (and metered by the mass flow sensor, on a fuelinjected engine) goes through the intake manifold. The PCV systemdiverts a small percentage of this air via the breather to the crankcasebefore allowing it to be drawn back into the intake tract again. Thepositive crankcase ventilation system is an “open system” in that freshexterior air is continuously used to flush contaminants from thecrankcase and draw them into the combustion chamber.

FIGS. 1A-1D illustrate a typical PCV system's use in an internalcombustion engine. As illustrated in FIG. 1A and as described in U.S.Pat. No. 5,027,784, an internal combustion engine includes a cylinderhead 1, a cylinder head cover 2, a cylinder block 3, and an oil pan 4. Atypical prior art PCV system includes a PCV “vacuum” connection line 7connecting the cylinder head cover 2 to a portion of an intake passage 8of the internal combustion engine at a location downstream of a throttlevalve 9. A PCV valve 6 is provided for controlling flow of blow-by gasin the PCV connection line 7. A baffle plate 12 provided in the cylinderhead cover 2 acts as a primary trap for oil mist contained in theblow-by gas. A trap chamber 5 on the downstream or vacuum side of thePCV valve 6 serves as a secondary trap for oil mist in the blow-by gas.Oil mist trapped in the trap chamber 5 collects on a bottom wall 5′ ofthe trap chamber 5.

During engine operation, blow-by gas which has leaked past a piston intoa crankcase of the cylinder block 3, flows into the cylinder head cover2 through a path formed in the cylinder block 3 and the cylinder head 1.The blow-by gas, controlled by the PCV valve 6, then flows through thePCV connection line 7 into the intake passage 8 of the engine to beburned in the combustion chamber.

The PCV system of FIG. 1A relies on the fact that, while the engine isrunning under light load and moderate throttle opening, the intakemanifold's pressure is always less than crankcase pressure. The lowerpressure of the intake manifold draws gases towards it, pulling air fromthe breather through the crankcase where the air is diluted and mixedwith combustion gases through the PCV valve, and returned to the intakemanifold. Typical PCV system PCV connection tubes (e.g., 7) connect thecrankcase to a clean source of fresh air, namely, the air cleaner body.Usually, clean air from the air cleaner flows into this tube and intothe engine after passing through a screen, baffle, or other simplesystem to arrest a flame front in order to prevent a potentiallyexplosive atmosphere within the engine crankcase from being ignited froma backfire into the intake manifold. Once inside the engine, the aircirculates around the interior of the engine, picking up and clearingaway combustion byproduct gases, including any substantive amounts ofwater vapor which includes dissolved chemical combustion byproducts. Thecombined gases then exit through another simple baffle, screen, or meshto trap oil droplets before being drawn out through the PCV valve 6 andinto the intake manifold 8.

The typical PCV valve 6 is a simple mechanism with a few moving parts,as illustrated in FIGS. 1B, 1C, and 1D, but it performs a somewhatcomplicated gas flow control function. In some prior art PCV valveassemblies, an internal restrictor 13 (generally a piston or pintle) isheld in “normal” (engine off, zero vacuum) position with a light spring14, exposing the full size of the PCV opening to the intake manifold.With the engine running, the pintle is drawn towards the manifold sidein the PCV valve by manifold vacuum, restricting the openingproportionate to the level of engine vacuum vs. spring force. At idle,the intake manifold vacuum is near maximum (as best seen in FIG. 1B). Itis at this time the least amount of blow-by is actually occurring, sothe PCV valve provides a large amount of (but not complete) restriction.As engine load increases, vacuum on the valve decreases proportionallyand blow by increases proportionally. With a lower level of vacuum, thespring 14 returns the pintle 13 to the “open” position to allow more airflow. At full throttle (see, e.g., FIG. 1C), vacuum is much reduced,down to between 1.5 and 3 inches of Hg. At this point the PCV valve isessentially open and flowing, and most combustion gases escape via the“breather tube” where they are then drawn into the engine's intakemanifold. Should the intake manifold's pressure be higher than that ofthe crankcase (which can happen in a turbocharged engine, or undercertain conditions of use, such as an intake backfire, see, e.g., FIG.1D), the PCV valve closes to prevent backflow into the crankcase.

In prior art PCV systems, the parts of the PCV system should be keptclean and open, otherwise air flow may be insufficient. A malfunctioningPCV valve may eventually damage an engine. Typical maintenance schedulesfor gasoline engines include PCV valve replacement whenever the airfilter or spark plugs are replaced, because anything with moving partsinside may eventually fail.

Most gasoline powered internal combustion engines utilize PCV valves.The basic design of the PCV valve (as illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1D) hasnot changed much since its first introduction in passenger vehicles. Theoperating characteristics that define a PCV valve are: idle flow rate;cruise flow rate; transition vacuum level, and backfire-backflowprevention. Idle flow rate is the determination of the quantity of gasflowing through the PCV valve during high vacuum conditions existingwhen an engine is idling (See FIG. 1B). Cruise flow rate is thedetermination of the quantity of gas flowing through the PCV valveduring low vacuum conditions when the engine is operating at higherrpm's during, for example, vehicle acceleration (See FIG. 1C).Transition vacuum level is the vacuum level at which the PCV valveswitches from a low to a high flow rate, and backfire-backflowprevention is required in those rare situations where manifold pressureexceeds crankcase pressure (See FIG. 1D). A properly operating PCV valveshould exhibit a decreasing flow curve with increasing vacuum, but amalfunctioning PCV valve can result in crankcase over pressure, oilsludge, oil leaks, poor fuel economy, rough idle and other problems.

In order to achieve the desired decreasing flow curve, most PCV valvesemploy a spring-pintle design as shown in FIGS. 1B-1D, and as a result,in most PCV valve designs, the flow passage is a variable annular area,which varies as the pintle moves linearly. The open lumen area definedby this annular opening can be as small as 0.25-0.3 mm and, inoperation, the PCV valve assembly is prone to blockage from clogging. Inaddition, typical PCV valves such as those shown in FIGS. 1A-1D whichhave a spring/pintle assembly are also prone to sticking in one positionor another.

It is an object of the present invention to overcome these problems andprovide an improved, more durable and trouble-free PCV valve for use inan improved PCV system which will minimize the likelihood of sticking orclogging problems and enhance long term engine performance.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure describes a PCV valve assembly or flow controllerwhich uses a fluidic geometry with control ports to reliably andprecisely produce a decreasing flow rate output with increasing vacuuminput. Historically, this type of output curve has only been achievedwith use of condition responsive moving parts (e/g/. the pintle-springassembly illustrated in FIGS. 1B-1D). In accordance with the structureand method of the present invention, excellent PCV performance isprovided without moving parts to wear out or fail. As such, no pintle orbiasing member exists in the PCV valve assembly of the presentdisclosure.

The PCV valve assembly may be referred to herein as a fluidic-equippedPCV valve flow controller. This assembly includes a fluidic geometrythat allows for the flow of combustion gases to flow between an inletand an outlet between two modes of operation, (i) a high flow or radialmode, and (ii) a low flow or tangential mode, as dictated during theoperation of the engine. At low vacuums, the fluidic equipped PCV valveassembly has been tuned to operate in the radial mode producing highflow rates due to low flow resistance. As vacuum increase (e.g., toabout 6″ of Hg), the PCV valve assembly is tuned to automatically switchmodes to tangential mode and the flow rate of gas therein drops. Theparticular switch set point value of the vacuum may be adjusted tovarious vacuum set points and this disclosure is not limited to theparticular set point. The ability to switch from one mode to another isenabled or sensed via a bypass channel which controls two (first andsecond) control ports. It has been discovered that the bypass channelallows the geometric fluidic pattern to work in both the radial (highflow) mode and to self-switch to the tangential (low flow) mode.

The PCV valve assembly of the present disclosure provides a superiorlevel of performance when incorporated in an engine's PCV system, as asubstitute for prior art PCV valve 6. (See FIG. 1A). The PCV valveassembly utilizes a fluidic geometry defined in a first substantiallyplanar substrate surface, where the fluidic geometry defines a PCVcontrol channel with an inlet region in fluid communication with acrankcase gas inlet lumen. The PCV control channel inlet region may bein fluid communication with a steering chamber and a bypass lumen, eachof which are in fluid communication with a substantially circular swirlchamber which has, at its center an outlet lumen configured forconnection with a PCV connection line (e.g., 7 in FIG. 1A).

The fluidic-equipped PCV valve flow controlling device's two modes ofoperation-radial mode (high flow) and tangential mode (low flow) allowthe device to operate in radial mode at low vacuum levels and switchautomatically to tangential mode at higher vacuum levels (wherethreshold for the mode-switch is tunable for each engine orapplication). Tangential mode flow rate may be about 50% of the radialmode flow rate. As a result, the assembly exhibits a decreasing flowcurve with increasing vacuum. Thus, flow rate drops at higher vacuumlevels, and this performance is achieved with no moving parts. The aboveand still further objects, features and advantages of the presentinvention will become apparent upon consideration of the followingdetailed description of a specific embodiment thereof, particularly whentaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein likereference numerals in the various figures are utilized to designate likecomponents.

In one embodiment, provided is a PCV valve assembly comprising a bodydefining a fluid passage. The fluid passage may be defined in the bodyand may include an inlet in communication with an inlet chamberincluding a first port, a power nozzle, and a second port. A interactionchamber downstream of the power nozzle, said interaction chamberincluding a radial interaction wall and a tangential interaction wallopposite from the radial interaction wall. A bypass channel incommunication with the inlet chamber and the interaction chamber. Aswirl chamber in communication with the interaction chamber and anoutlet wherein the assembly may be configured to automatically switchbetween a low flow mode and a high flow mode based of fluid or gas flowthrough the fluid passage.

In high flow mode, fluid or gas may enter the inlet and traverse throughthe inlet chamber towards the interaction chamber and bypass channeltowards the swirl chamber such that the fluid or gas may create a mainflow, a secondary flow, and a tertiary flow. The main flow may traversethrough the power nozzle and align along said radial interaction wallwithin the interaction chamber. The main flow may enter the swirlchamber and flow within the swirl chamber in a first direction. Thesecondary flow may traverse through a steering chamber and enter theinteraction chamber and flow within the interaction chamber in a seconddirection opposite from the first direction and adjacent to the mainflow. The tertiary flow may traverse through the steering chamber andthe bypass channel and enter the swirl chamber and flow within the swirlchamber in a second direction opposite the first direction and adjacentthe main flow.

The main flow may align along a first flow path axis as it traversesthrough the inlet chamber and may align along a second flow path axis asit traverses through the interaction chamber and enters into the swirlchamber, the second flow path axis may extend angularly from the firstflow path axis. The PCV valve assembly may be tunable to automaticallyswitch between the low flow mode and the high flow mode based on vacuumpressure at the inlet.

In low flow mode, fluid or gas may enter the inlet and traverse throughthe inlet chamber towards the interaction chamber and bypass channeltowards the swirl chamber such that the fluid or gas may create a mainflow and a secondary flow. The main flow may traverse through the powernozzle and align along said tangential interaction wall within theinteraction chamber. The main flow may enter the swirl chamber andcirculate in a second direction. The secondary flow may enter theinteraction chamber and flow within the interaction chamber in a firstdirection adjacent to the main flow wherein the first direction isopposite from the second direction. The main flow may enter into theswirl chamber and be aligned along an outer wall of the swirl chamberand flow in a vortex shape before exiting the outlet. The main flow mayalso include fluid or gas flow that traverses through the bypass channelthat becomes entrained with the main flow as it enters into the swirlchamber. The secondary flow may traverse within the interaction chamberalong the radial interaction wall. The automatic switching between thehigh flow mode and the low flow mode may be enabled by the bypasschannel which varies the flow between the first port and the secondport.

In another embodiment, provided is a fluidic-equipped PCV valve flowcontroller comprising an inlet chamber having an inlet lumen anddefining a first or left side flow path, a second or central flow path,and a third or right side flow path. An interaction chamber having aradial interaction wall and a tangential interaction wall opposite fromthe radial interaction wall. A swirl chamber having an outlet lumenconfigured for connection to a connection tube. A steering chamberhaving a first or left side curved sidewall opposing a second or rightside straight sidewall, the steering chamber being in fluidcommunication with the central flow path and the interaction chamber. Abypass channel in fluid communication with the first flow path and theswirl chamber wherein the controller automatically switches between alow flow mode and a high flow mode based on vacuum pressure at the inletchamber.

In high flow mode, fluid or gas enters the inlet and traverses throughthe inlet chamber towards the interaction chamber and bypass channeltowards the swirl chamber such that the fluid or gas creates a mainflow, a secondary flow, and a tertiary flow. The main flow enters theswirl chamber and flows within the swirl chamber in a first direction,the secondary flow traverses through said steering chamber and entersthe interaction chamber and flows within the interaction chamber in asecond direction opposite from the first direction and adjacent to themain flow, the tertiary flow traverses through the steering chamber andthe bypass channel and enters the swirl chamber and flows within theswirl chamber in a second direction opposite the first direction andadjacent the main flow.

In low flow mode, fluid or gas enters the inlet and traverses throughthe inlet chamber towards the interaction chamber and bypass channeltowards the swirl chamber such that the fluid or gas creates a main flowand a secondary flow. The main flow traverses through the power nozzleand aligns along said tangential interaction wall within the interactionchamber, said main flow enters the swirl chamber and circulates in asecond direction, the secondary flow enters the interaction chamber andflows within the interaction chamber in a first direction adjacent tothe main flow, and the main flow enters into the swirl chamber alignedalong an outer wall of the swirl chamber.

In another embodiment, provide is a method for providing enhanced PCVperformance in a system comprising the method steps of providing a PCVvalve assembly with an inlet configured for connection to an engine'scrankcase interior volume and an outlet configured for connection to aPCV connection/vacuum tube. Providing, in that PCV valve assembly, aninlet chamber, a first port, a power nozzle, a second port, steeringchamber, a bypass channel, an interaction chamber and a swirl chamber.Introducing a flow of fluid or gas at the inlet to traverse through saidPCV valve assembly to said outlet. Modifying a level of vacuum pressureat the inlet, and switching characteristics of the flow of fluid or gasbetween a high flow mode and a low flow mode.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Operation of the present disclosure may be better understood byreference to the detailed description taken in connection with thefollowing illustrations. These appended drawings form part of thisspecification, and any written information in the drawings should betreated as part of this disclosure. In the same manner, the relativepositioning and relationship of the components as shown in thesedrawings, as well as their function, shape, dimensions, and appearance,may all further inform certain aspects of the present disclosure as iffully rewritten herein. In the drawings:

FIG. 1A is a schematic elevational view of a PCV system in accordancewith the prior art;

FIG. 1B is a schematic cross-sectional view of a prior art PCV system inan acceleration state whereby an engine returns its crankcase combustiongases to an inlet manifold via a PCV valve, in accordance with the priorart;

FIG. 1C is a schematic cross-sectional view of a prior art PCV system inan idling state whereby an engine returns its crankcase combustion gasesto an inlet manifold via a PCV valve, in accordance with the prior art;

FIG. 1D is a schematic cross-sectional view of a prior art PCV system ina back-fire sate whereby an engine returns its crankcase combustiongases to an inlet manifold via a PCV valve, in accordance with the priorart;

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a PCV valveassembly in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 3A is a plan view of an embodiment of the PCV valve assembly inaccordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 3B is a plan view of an embodiment of the PCV valve assembly inradial mode in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 3C is a plan view of an embodiment of the PCV valve assembly intangential mode in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a graph illustrating comparative results of the PCV valveassembly of FIG. 2 versus a conventional PCV valve of the prior arthaving moving parts;

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of the PCV valveassembly in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view of the PCV valve assembly of FIG. 5 inaccordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a side view of the PCV valve assembly of FIG. 5 in accordancewith the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view of along line A-A the PCV valveassembly of FIG. 6 in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 is a rear view of the PCV valve assembly of FIG. 5 in accordancewith the present disclosure;

FIG. 10 is a front view of the PCV valve assembly of FIG. 5 inaccordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 11 is a first end view of the PCV valve assembly of FIG. 5 inaccordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 12 is a second end view of the PCV valve assembly of FIG. 5 inaccordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 13 is a front perspective view of another embodiment of the PCVvalve assembly in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 14 is a rear perspective view of the PCV valve assembly of FIG. 5in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 15 is a side view of the PCV valve assembly of FIG. 13 inaccordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 16 is a cross sectional view of along line B-B the PCV valveassembly of FIG. 14 in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 17 is a first end view of the PCV valve assembly of FIG. 13 inaccordance with the present disclosure; and

FIG. 18 is a second end view of the PCV valve assembly of FIG. 13 inaccordance with the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments of thepresent disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in theaccompanying drawings. It is to be understood that other embodiments maybe utilized and structural and functional changes may be made withoutdeparting from the respective scope of the present disclosure. Moreover,features of the various embodiments may be combined or altered withoutdeparting from the scope of the present disclosure. As such, thefollowing description is presented by way of illustration only andshould not limit in any way the various alternatives and modificationsthat may be made to the illustrated embodiments and still be within thespirit and scope of the present disclosure.

As used herein, the words “example” and “exemplary” mean an instance, orillustration. The words “example” or “exemplary” do not indicate a keyor preferred aspect or embodiment. The word “or” is intended to beinclusive rather an exclusive, unless context suggests otherwise. As anexample, the phrase “A employs B or C,” includes any inclusivepermutation (e.g., A employs B; A employs C; or A employs both B and C).As another matter, the articles “a” and “an” are generally intended tomean “one or more” unless context suggest otherwise.

Similar reference numerals are used throughout the figures. Therefore,in certain views, only selected elements are indicated even though thefeatures of the assembly are identical in all of the figures. In thesame manner, while a particular aspect of the invention is illustratedin these figures, other aspects and arrangements are possible, as willbe explained below.

Referring also to FIGS. 2-9, provided is a PCV valve assembly or flowcontroller 100 that includes a fluidic geometry 110 defined to includecontrol ports to reliably and precisely produce a decreasing flow rateoutput with increasing vacuum input. Historically, this type of outputcurve has only been achieved with use of condition responsive movingparts (e.g., the pintle-spring assembly shown in FIGS. 1B-1D). Inaccordance with the structure and method of the present invention,excellent PCV performance is provided with no moving parts to wear outor fail.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the PCV valve assembly 100 includes an inlet120 and an outlet 130. The inlet 120 may be in communication with theoutlet 130 through the body of the PCV valve assembly 100 which maydefine contours shaped in a surface in a particular pattern that istuned to allow for automatic mode switch as will be described. Thecontour geometry may be a fluidic pattern to allow for various gas orfluid flow therein.

The geometry includes an inlet chamber 122 that may define a first orleft side flow path or via referred to as the tangential channel 124, asecond or central flow path or via referred to as a power nozzle 126,and a third or right side flow path or via referred to as a radialchannel 128. The inlet chamber 122 may include a large width adjacentthe inlet 120 and a narrow width as it extends toward the power nozzle126. The inlet chamber 122 may have an upside down wine glass shapewhere the tangential channel 124 and the radial channel 128 extend froma bulbous portion of the inlet chamber 122. The power nozzle 126 may bein communication with an interaction chamber 160.

The tangential channel 124 may extend from the inlet chamber 122 to asteering chamber 140. The steering chamber 140 branches from the inletchamber 122 to a first or tangential port 142 and a bypass channel 150.The steering chamber may have a general kidney shape and be in fluidcommunication with the inlet chamber and a swirl chamber 180.

The radial channel 128 may extend to a second or radial port 144. Thetangential port 142 and the radial port 144 may extend to and bereintroduced into a main flow path at a position within the fluidicgeometry downstream from the power nozzle 126. This intersection may bereferred to as a setback region 152 wherein the portion of theinteraction chamber 160 adjacent the power nozzle 126 includes a widththat is greater than a width of the power nozzle 126. The tangentialport 142 and the radial port 144 may be on opposite sides of the powernozzle 126 and be aligned with each other on opposite sides of a firstflow path axis 170. The first flow path axis 170 may extendlongitudinally along the inlet chamber 122 through the power nozzle 126and extend into the interaction chamber 160. The tangential channel 124and tangential port 142 may include a shape that is generally asymmetricrelative to the radial channel 128 and the radial port 144.

The interaction chamber may 160 be defined by a tangential interactionwall 162 and a radial interaction wall 164. The tangential interactionwall 162 may extend from the tangential port 142 and include a curvedpattern wherein the tangential interaction wall 162 extends at adiverging angular position relative to the setback region 152 and firstflow path axis 170 and then converge with a curved transition towardsthe first flow path axis 170. The radial interaction wall 164 may extendalong an opposite side of the first flow path axis 170 from thetangential interaction wall 162. The radial interaction walls 164 mayextend from the radial port 144 and include a short straight portionadjacent the radial port 144 and transition to a diverging angularportion that extends away from the first flow path axis 170 and isgenerally aligned with a second flow path axis 172 as identified in FIG.3A. The tangential interaction wall 162 may include a shape that isgenerally asymmetric relative to the radial interaction wall 164. Thisasymmetry may be located at the walls that define the setback region 152and extend along the walls downstream from the setback region 152.

The bypass channel 150 may extend from the steering chamber 140 andintersect with the interaction chamber 160 adjacent the swirl chamber180. The bypass channel 150 may include a particular arrangement havinga narrowing inner dimension as it extends from the steering chambertowards the interaction chamber 160.

The swirl chamber 180 may have a generally circular configuration and bein communication with the outlet 130. The outlet 130 may be positionedalong a central portion of the swirl chamber 180 and be aligned alongthe second flow path axis 172. The swirl chamber 180 may be defined byan outer wall 182 that extends from an end of the radial interactionwall 164 of the interaction chamber 160 to an end of a bypass channelwall 154. The outlet 130 may be configured for connection to a PCVconnection tube (not shown).

The outlet 130 may be offset from the inlet 120 to allow for the secondflow path axis 172 to extend angularly from the first flow path axis toallow for the fluidic geometry of the PCV valve assembly to be tuned ina particular manner to automatically switch from various modes duringoperation as will be described below. The described configuration allowsfor two modes of operation, (a) high flow/radial mode (FIG. 3B) and (b)low flow/tangential mode (FIG. 3C), as dictated during the operation ofthe engine.

At low vacuums, the PCV valve assembly 100 may be tuned to operate inradial mode producing high flow rates (because of low flow resistance).In this mode, fluid or gas enters the inlet 120 and traverses throughthe inlet chamber 122 towards the tangential channel 124, power nozzle126 and radial channel 128. The flow of fluid/gas may behave in aparticular manner due to the interaction of the pressure and geometry ofthe fluidic pattern wherein a main flow 200, secondary flow 210 andtertiary flow 220 may be generated. The main flow 200, secondary flow210 and tertiary flow 220 are illustrated in FIG. 3B by respective fluidor gas flow path lines. The main flow 200 generally traverses throughthe power nozzle 126 and aligns along the radial interaction wall 164within the interaction chamber 160. The main flow 200 may generallyalign along the second flow path axis 172 (FIG. 2) as it may flowthrough the interaction chamber 160 and enter into the swirl chamber180. The main flow 200 may extend within the swirl chamber 180 andtraverse towards the opposite side of the outer wall 182 and thencirculate in a clockwise orientation as illustrated by FIG. 3B. Thesecondary flow 210 may develop by traversing through the steeringchamber 140 and entering into the interaction chamber 160 through thetangential port 142 adjacent the power nozzle 126. The secondary flow210 may flow within the interaction chamber 160 in a generallycounterclockwise configuration adjacent to the main flow 200. Thetertiary flow 230 may develop by traversing through the steering chamber140 and the bypass channel 150 and entering the swirl chamber 180. Thetertiary flow 220 may traverse through the swirl chamber 180 adjacentthe main flow 200 and flow in a counterclockwise orientation.

Further, during operation in radial mode, the secondary flow 210 mayinclude a designated minimum flow of fluid or gas through the tangentialchannel 124 and tangential port 142 towards the left side of theinteraction region 160 while the PCV valve assembly 100 is in radialmode. In this instance, the flow of fluid or gas from the radial channel128 and radial port 144 would be less than the flow through thetangential channel 124 and tangential port 142. Further, the flow offluid or gas through the power nozzle 126 may also be at a designatedvalue to create a venturi effect to draw an increased amount of fluid orgas through the tangential port 142 and into the interaction region 160than through the radial port 142. It may be desirable to tune thefluidic geometry to allow the flow of fluid or gas through the bypasschannel 150 as well as the tangential port 142 into the interactionregion 160 to maintain the fluidic circuit in the radial mode. Notably,if the flow of fluid or gas becomes greater through the radial channel128 and radial port 144 than through the tangential port 142, thefluidic circuit will likely switch to tangential mode as no flow goes upto form the secondary flow 210 along the tangential interaction wall 162in the interaction region 160 as this secondary flow 210 assists tomaintain or position the main flow 200 against the radial interactionwall 164.

As vacuum increases (e.g., to about 6″ of Hg), the PCV valve assemblymay automatically switch modes to tangential mode and the flow ratedrops. In this mode, the flow of fluid/gas may behave in a particularmanner due to the interaction of the pressure and geometry of thefluidic pattern wherein a main flow 200′ and secondary flow 210′ may begenerated. The main flow 200′ and secondary flow 210′ are illustrated inFIG. 3C by respective fluid or gas flow path lines. The main flow 200′generally traverses through the power nozzle 126 and aligns along thetangential interaction wall 162 within the interaction chamber 160. Themain flow 200′ may flow through the interaction chamber 160 and enterinto the swirl chamber 180 aligned along the outer wall 182 and forminto a swirl or vortex before exiting the outlet 130. The main flow 200may also include fluid/gas flow that traverses through the bypasschannel 150 that becomes entrained with the main flow 200′ as it entersinto the swirl chamber 180. The main flow 200′ flows in a generallycounterclockwise orientation within the swirl chamber 180 as illustratedby FIG. 3C. The secondary flow 210′ may develop by traversing throughthe inlet chamber 122 and radial channel 128 and entering into theinteraction chamber 160 through the radial port 144 and power nozzle126. The secondary flow 210′ may flow within the interaction chamber 160in a generally clockwise configuration adjacent to the main flow 200′and generally along the radial interaction wall 164.

The need for switching from one mode to another is enabled or sensed viathe bypass channel 150 which may control the flow through the tangentialport 142 as it may be varied relative to the flow through the radialport 144. The flow through the radial port 144 may remain relativelyconstant while the flow through the tangential port 142 may be variedrelative to the flow through the radial port 144 which may lead to theswitch between the described modes.

During start up, the flow of fluid or gas in the radial channel 128should be lower than the flow of fluid or gas in the tangential channel124 to ensure that the assembly may be able to automatically switchbetween radial and tangential modes during operation. During operation,the flow of fluid or gas through the bypass channel 150 should begenerally less than the flow of fluid or gas through the interactionchamber 160 to ensure that the assembly may be able to automaticallyswitch between radial mode and tangential mode during operation.

The PCV valve assembly 100 may provide a superior level of performancewhen incorporated in an engine's PCV system (e.g., as a substitute forprior art PCV valve 6 to provide an improved PCV system as compared tothe system of FIG. 1A). The PCV valve assembly utilizes fluidic geometry110 defined in a first substantially planar substrate surface, where thefluidic geometry defines an inlet chamber in fluid communication with acrankcase gas inlet lumen. The inlet chamber may be in fluidcommunication with an outlet lumen configured for connection with a PCVconnection line (e.g., item 7).

The device may operate in radial mode at low vacuum levels andautomatically switch to tangential mode at higher vacuum levels. Thethreshold for the mode-switch may be tunable for each engine orapplication. Similarly, the assembly may operate in tangential mode athigher vacuum levels and may automatically switch to radial mode atlower vacuum levels. In one embodiment, the tangential mode flow ratemay be about 50% of the radial mode flow rate (see, e.g., plottedperformance data of FIG. 4). This graph illustrates that the PCV valvueassembly exhibits a decreasing flow curve with increasing vacuum with nomoving parts or small clog prone passages. The graph exhibits the radialor high flow mode up to about 30 kilopascal (“kPA”) and exhibitstangential or low flow mode from about 30 kPa upwards. In thisembodiment, the transition from radial to tangential mode occurs betweenabout 30 kPa and 40 kPa. Additionally, radial mode exhibits a flow ratebetween about 25 standard liter per minute (“slpm”) to about 45 slpmwhile tangential mode exhibits a flow rate between about 20 slpm toabout 30 slpm. As a result flow rate drops at higher vacuum levels asmeasured from the intake manifold, and this performance is achieved withno moving parts such as a biasing member or pintle.

FIGS. 5 through 12 are provided to illustrate the various sides of abody that includes the fluidic geometry of the PCV valve assembly formedtherein. Notably, a cap or surface (not shown) may be attached to thebody of the PCV valve assembly to create a fluidic passage with thefluidic geometry formed on the body and to define the inlet and outletconnections within a system (i.e. such as a combustion engine system).Apertures positioned outside the fluidic geometry 110 may be used toattach the cap or separate surface (not shown) to the PCV valveassembly. FIG. 8 illustrates a cross section view through line A-A ofFIG. 6 and shows that the outlet may allow flow in a direction through aback side of the body. Notably, this allows for a generally offset andparallel connection between an inlet lumen attached to the inlet 120 andan outlet lumen attached to the outlet 130.

FIGS. 13 through 18 are provided to illustrate the various sides ofanother embodiment of the PCV valve assembly 300. In this embodiment,the body includes the fluidic geometry formed therein. Additionally, anoutlet 130′ extends from the swirl chamber 180 and exits from an endportion of the body as can be seen by FIG. 16. FIG. 16 illustrates across section view through line B-B of FIG. 14 and shows that the outletmay allow flow in a direction through an end portion of the body.Notably, this allows for a generally offset and perpendicular connectionbetween an inlet lumen attached to the inlet 120 and an outlet lumenattached to the outlet 130′. However, there may be various otherarrangements regarding the configuration of the PCV valve assembly 100,300 and this disclosure is not limited.

In one embodiment, the length of the body of the PCV valve assembly 100,300 may be approximately 65 mm long and allow for a maximum flow rate offluid or gas therein to be about 42 1 pm at 21 kpa (vacuum). In oneembodiment, the outlet 130, 130′ may have a diameter of about 1.5 mm.

Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been illustratedin the accompanying drawings and described in the foregoing detaileddescription, it is to be understood that the present disclosure is notto be limited to just the embodiments disclosed, but that the presentdisclosure described herein is capable of numerous rearrangements,modifications and substitutions without departing from the scope of theclaims hereafter. The claims as follows are intended to include allmodifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope ofthe claims or the equivalent thereof.

Accordingly, the present specification is intended to embrace all suchalterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spiritand scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that theterm “includes” is used in either the detailed description or theclaims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to theterm “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as atransitional word in a claim.

What is claimed is:
 1. A valve assembly comprising: a body defining afluid passage comprising: an inlet in communication with an inletchamber including a first port, a power nozzle, and a second port; ainteraction chamber downstream of the power nozzle; said interactionchamber including a radial interaction wall and a tangential interactionwall opposite from the radial interaction wall; a bypass channel incommunication with the inlet chamber and the interaction chamber; aswirl chamber in communication with the interaction chamber and anoutlet; wherein the assembly is configured to automatically switchbetween a low flow mode and a high flow mode based of fluid or gas flowthrough the fluid passage.
 2. The valve assembly of claim 1, wherein inhigh flow mode, fluid or gas enters the inlet and traverses through theinlet chamber towards the interaction chamber and bypass channel towardsthe swirl chamber such that the fluid or gas creates a main flow, asecondary flow, and a tertiary flow.
 3. The valve assembly of claim 2,wherein said main flow traverses through the power nozzle and alignsalong a radial interaction wall within the interaction chamber.
 4. Thevalve assembly of claim 3, wherein said main flow enters the swirlchamber and flows within the swirl chamber in a first direction, thesecondary flow traverses through a steering chamber and enters theinteraction chamber and flows within the interaction chamber in a seconddirection opposite from the first direction and adjacent to the mainflow, the tertiary flow traverses through the steering chamber and thebypass channel and enters the swirl chamber and flows within the swirlchamber in a second direction opposite the first direction and adjacentthe main flow.
 5. The valve assembly of claim 2, wherein said main flowaligns along the first flow path axis as it traverses through the inletchamber and aligns along a second flow path axis as it traverses throughthe interaction chamber and enters into the swirl chamber, the secondflow path axis extends angularly from the first flow path axis.
 6. Thevalve assembly of claim 1, wherein the assembly is tunable toautomatically switch between the low flow mode and the high flow modebased on vacuum pressure at the inlet.
 7. The valve assembly of claim 1,wherein in low flow mode, fluid or gas enters the inlet and traversesthrough the inlet chamber towards the interaction chamber and bypasschannel towards the swirl chamber such that the fluid or gas creates amain flow and a secondary flow.
 8. The valve assembly of claim 7,wherein said main flow traverses through the power nozzle and alignsalong said tangential interaction wall within the interaction chamber.9. The valve assembly of claim 8, wherein said main flow enters theswirl chamber and circulates in a second direction, the secondary flowenters the interaction chamber and flows within the interaction chamberin a first direction adjacent to the main flow.
 10. The valve assemblyof claim 8, wherein the main flow enters into the swirl chamber alignedalong an outer wall of the swirl chamber.
 11. The valve assembly ofclaim 10, wherein the main flow also include fluid or gas flow thattraverses through the bypass channel that becomes entrained with themain flow as it enters into the swirl chamber.
 12. The valve assembly ofclaim 9, wherein the secondary flow traverses within the interactionchamber along the radial interaction wall.
 13. The valve assembly ofclaim 1, wherein automatic switching between the high flow mode and thelow flow mode is enabled by the bypass channel which varies the flowbetween the first port and the second port.
 14. A fluidic-equipped-valveflow controller comprising: (a) an inlet chamber having an inlet lumenand defining a first or left side flow path, a second or central flowpath, and a third or right side flow path; (b) a interaction chamberhaving a radial interaction wall and a tangential interaction wallopposite from the radial interaction wall;; (c) a swirl chamber havingan outlet lumen configured for connection to a connection tube; (d) asteering chamber having a first or left side curved sidewall opposing asecond or right side straight sidewall, the steering chamber being influid communication with the central flow path and the interactionchamber; (e) a bypass channel in fluid communication with the first flowpath and the swirl chamber; wherein the controller automaticallyswitches between a low flow mode and a high flow mode based on vacuumpressure at the inlet chamber.
 15. The fluidic-equipped valve flowcontroller of claim 14, wherein in high flow mode, fluid or gas entersthe inlet and traverses through the inlet chamber towards theinteraction chamber and bypass channel towards the swirl chamber suchthat the fluid or gas creates a main flow, a secondary flow, and atertiary flow.
 16. The fluidic-equipped valve flow controller of claim15, wherein said main flow enters the swirl chamber and flows within theswirl chamber in a first direction, the secondary flow traverses throughsaid steering chamber and enters the interaction chamber and flowswithin the interaction chamber in a second direction opposite from thefirst direction and adjacent to the main flow, the tertiary flowtraverses through the steering chamber and the bypass channel and entersthe swirl chamber and flows within the swirl chamber in a seconddirection opposite the first direction and adjacent the main flow. 17.The fluidic-equipped valve flow controller of claim 14, wherein in lowflow mode, fluid or gas enters the inlet and traverses through the inletchamber towards the interaction chamber and bypass channel towards theswirl chamber such that the fluid or gas creates a main flow and asecondary flow.
 18. The fluidic-equipped valve flow controller of claim17, wherein said main flow traverses through the power nozzle and alignsalong said tangential interaction wall within the interaction chamber,said main flow enters the swirl chamber and circulates in a seconddirection, the secondary flow enters the interaction chamber and flowswithin the interaction chamber in a first direction adjacent to the mainflow, and the main flow enters into the swirl chamber aligned along anouter wall of the swirl chamber.
 19. A method for providing enhancedperformance in a system comprising the method steps of: (a) providing avalve assembly with an inlet configured for connection to an engine'scrankcase interior volume and an outlet configured for connection to aconnection/vacuum tube; (b) providing, in that valve assembly, an inletchamber, a first port, a power nozzle, a second port, steering chamber,a bypass channel, a interaction chamber and a swirl chamber; and (c)introducing a flow of fluid or gas in the inlet to traverse through saidvalve assembly to said outlet.
 20. The method of claim 19, furthercomprising: modifying a level of vacuum pressure at the inlet; andswitching characteristics of the flow of fluid or gas between a highflow mode and a low flow mode.